3 Fibrocytes markers UNIVERSITY OF MODENA AND REGGIO EMILIAThey are known to be positive for both CD45 and Collagen I or pro-Collagen IThey may express CD34 (stem cell marker)According to some authors, they also share monocyte markers (such CD14 and CD11)Chemokines receptors (such as CXCR4)Lack of expression of CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19 and CD25They seem to be able to present antigensUNIVERSITY OF MODENAAND REGGIO EMILIASINCE 1175

5 Fibrocytes in health and diseaseFibrocytes have been described in several diseases in which fibrosis occursAsthmaSkin scars and keloidsSclerodermaLiver fibrosisCardiac diseaseRenal fibrosisCirculating fibrocytes may be increased in normal agingUNIVERSITY OF MODENAAND REGGIO EMILIAHerzog EL., Bucala R., Experimental Hematology 2010; 38:548-56SINCE 1175

16 Project aimsAim 1Measurement and characterization of circulating fibrocytesLongitudinal measurement of circulating fibrocytes in IPF patients and comparison with clinical outcomesCharacterization of expression markers related to lung homing and differentiationAssessment of cytokine levels in the serum of IPF patientsEvaluation of the effects of cytokine stimulation on in vitro proliferation, differentiation and migration ability of fibrocytes isolated from IPF patients.

18 Study design UNIVERSITY OF MODENA AND REGGIO EMILIATotal duration: 3 yearsPatients with a diagnosis of IPF according to ATS/ERS/JRS Guidelines 2011Prospective enrollment of both prevalent and incident casesCollection of blood samples for fibrocytes and cytokine measurement at the enrollment and then every 6 months during the follow-upBone marrow samplesUNIVERSITY OF MODENAAND REGGIO EMILIASINCE 1175